AWESOME ‘AUBS’: Salem earns Park Cup behind Krischano’s 2 goals
Aubrey Krischano gets a step on a defender before scoring Salem’s first goal Tuesday night against Canton.
Salem’s girls soccer team needed more than a victory over Canton Tuesday night to claim its first Park Cup championship in a few years.
An early-season 2-1 setback to Plymouth meant the Rocks needed to win by at least two goals against the Cobras to earn the total-goals-against tie-breaker and secure the hardware they’ve thirsted for all season.
Enter junior Aubrey Krischano, whose two first-half net-finders — combined with dominating defense from the Rocks — powered Salem to a 2-0 triumph.
Krischano’s second goal late in the first half was a testament to her perseverance.
Outnumbered, not outworked
Somehow, despite being outnumbered by three Cobra defenders 12 yards from the goal line, she won the ball and calmly steered the ball into the net.
Salem’s defensive back line of Peighton Wagner, Isabelle Prantera and keeper Addilyn Messer (among others) did the rest, limiting the Cobras’ potent offense to few realistic scoring chances.
“This feels awesome,” said Krischano, who has committed to play collegiate soccer beginning in the fall of 2026 for Ashland University in Ohio.
“The past couple years we’ve been so close, but we didn’t quite get there. This means a lot to everybody on the team, but especially our seniors because this was their last chance.
“It took so much work; we had to work our hardest, and it paid off.”
(To check out a video highlight of Aubrey Krischano’s second goal, click here.)
‘Aubs is great’
Salem Head Coach Kyle Karns wasn’t surprised by Krischano’s big-game production.
“‘Aubs’ is great,” Karns said, moments after the Rocks posed near mid-field with the Park Cup. “She creates pace with her ability to use both feet and take people on one-on-one. Her willingness to never give up on a play — like on her second goal — gives her opportunities to score in different ways. She’s just a natural goal-scorer.”
Krischano, whose modesty matches her talent, made sure to give props to Alex L’Heureux for her first goal.
“Alex gave me a great through ball, I ran onto it and placed it in the top-right corner of the net,” she said.
Nothing quite like ‘Park’ rivalry games
The one-of-a-kind three-school P-CEP campus gives the Park Cup a compelling appeal to players on all three Park teams.
“The way the campus is set up, the Park Cup rivalry makes it that much more fun for players on all three schools to be a part of,” Karns said. “It adds something special to the rivalry that is already ingrained in the three teams.
“There was a little more emphasis on each Park match this season because we only play each other once instead of twice. The kids all know each other, which gives winning the Cup extra value.”
Karns complimented Canton’s effort throughout Tuesday’s match — and explained how difficult it is to defeat the P-CEP rival programs.
(To check out Salem’s post-game celebration, click here.)
The Park teams ‘know each other so well’
“Our games are always tough against Canton and Plymouth because we all know each other so well,” he said. “All three teams know the others’ styles and systems. It all comes down to who wants it more, who’s willing to win the 50/50 balls.
“It all comes down to giving that extra effort.”
And players like Aubrey Krischano, who know how to fill the net even in intensity-filled environments.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
